Jon Lester , who retired two years ago after a brilliant career, winning three World Series rings with five All-Star appearances, plans to come to spring training to visit his former teams.
But for now he has no interest in joining a team in an official capacity.
“I’ve bounced around a couple of ideas, spitballing,” Lester tells USA TODAY Sports, “but I don’t want to coach and get back in all of that. I don’t want a formal role.”
Lester still feels closer to the Chicago Cubs than the Boston Red Sox with friends still working in the organization, but concedes his passion towards the Cubs has slightly waned with the firing of manager David Ross, his former teammate and close friend.
“Talking to some people I understood,” Lester says. “I saw Rossy over New Year’s and kind of understood their decision. But you don’t want buddies to lose their job. It sucks. It kind of stung.”
He’s still emotionally invested in the Red Sox, where he won two World Series titles, with former teammate Craig Breslow as their new GM and his former boss, Theo Epstein , joining the Red Sox ownership group.